Stagecoach announces senior appointments at UK Bus division

Stagecoach today (18 December 2012) announced a series of appointments at its UK Bus division as preparations continue for Robert Montgomery to take up the post of Managing Director at the business unit next year.

Robert Montgomery, Deputy Managing Director, Stagecoach UK Bus, is scheduled to take over the running of the division from Les Warneford from 1 May 2013. Both are working closely together to ensure a smooth handover of responsibility.

Stagecoach, one of UK’s biggest bus and coach operators, today announced three key senior appointments within the senior UK Bus team (see further biographical details in Notes to Editors):

Elizabeth Esnouf (50) has taken up the new post of Managing Director, Coaches and Special Activities. She will be responsible for the megabus.com and Scottish Citylink businesses, as well as rail replacement services and other special contracts. Her previous permanent role was as Stagecoach Midlands Operations Director. She was seconded to the position of Olympic Project Director in 2011 and played a key role in Stagecoach’s contract to deliver athlete and media transport at London 2012.

Gary Nolan (56), Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, is appointed Regional Director (North) from 1 February 2013. His role will oversee Stagecoach companies in the North West, North East, Yorkshire, Manchester, Merseyside, East Midlands and East. Stagecoach will be recruiting a new Managing Director for its East Midlands business in due course.

Robert Andrew (49), currently Regional Director (North), becomes Regional Director (South) on 1 March 2013. A former Regional Director (Scotland), this means he will have had senior management responsibility for each of the bus division’s regions. In his new post, he will work with Stagecoach companies in the Midlands, Oxfordshire, West, South Wales, South West, South and South East.

In addition, Les Warneford, who has more than 40 years’ experience in the UK bus industry, will continue to undertake special project work for Stagecoach after he retires in May 2013.

The other members of the UK Bus senior management team are: Colin Brown, Finance Director; Sam Greer, Regional Director (Scotland); and Mark Threapleton, Regional Director (London).

Robert Montgomery said: “I would like to congratulate Elizabeth, Gary and Robert on their new roles. We have a talented and experienced senior team at our UK Bus division, and a strong network of regional bus companies.

“Stagecoach has led the sector on investment in new technologies to benefit passengers and we have the best value bus fares in the country. Our industry-leading financial performance, and exceptional track-record of getting people back on Britain’s buses, means we are well placed to grow our business further.

“These appointments will ensure we have a strong foundation for the future. I am also delighted we will continue to have access to Les’s extensive knowledge and experience. We will keep on focusing closely on the service we provide to our customers, and make sure our companies have the support and flexibility to run their businesses locally.”

Around 2.5 million passengers travel on Stagecoach’s 7,800 buses every day. The award-winning company has around 25,000 employees across the UK. The company’s network stretches from south-west England to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and it includes major city bus operations in London, Liverpool, Newcastle, Hull, Manchester, Oxford, Sheffield and Cambridge.

For further information about Stagecoach bus services, visit www.stagecoachbus.com.